Approval rates
The approval rate for Joseph D. Schloss is based on 1,915 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a baseline for understanding how the judge has historically evaluated disability claims. When compared to the broader bench at the Moreno Valley office, where judge approval rates range from 40% to 72% on their since-2016 records, the data offers context for your upcoming hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Schloss. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 25, 2020. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Schloss's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for Joseph D. Schloss showed a steady upward trend between 2016 and 2019. Starting at 43% in 2016, the rate increased to 51% by 2018 and reached 53% in 2019, before settling at 52% in 2020. With 1,915 total decisions on record, this pattern reflects a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the four-year period.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Schloss's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Moreno Valley hearing office
Joseph D. Schloss's most recent office on record is the Moreno Valley hearing office, with decisions there through September 2020. This office serves the surrounding California region and maintains a bench of 7 judges. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation and work history.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 7 judges whose most recent office on record is the Moreno Valley office, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 72% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge has a unique approach to evaluating medical evidence, understanding the local bench is helpful.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Joseph D. Schloss has an approval rate of 49% based on 1,915 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 40% to 72% range observed among the 7 judges whose most recent office on record is Moreno Valley. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this judge's bench.
Yes, the approval rate for Joseph D. Schloss showed a gradual increase from 43% in 2016 to 53% in 2019, before reaching 52% in 2020. This trend is based on 1,915 total decisions on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these historical patterns might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge by having a strong, evidence-based case. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will likely be asked about your daily limitations and why you are unable to perform past work. Working with an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare your testimony for the hearing.
The 49% approval rate for Joseph D. Schloss represents past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a disability claim. An attorney can help you review your case and identify any gaps in your evidence before you appear before the judge.
